Rockford intervention program's 10th graduation

ROCKFORD — Laurie said she was in a black hole, desperate to get out of the legal mess she had created for herself.

Matt Williams

ROCKFORD — Laurie said she was in a black hole, desperate to get out of the legal mess she had created for herself.

She faced depression and for months had been digging that hole deeper by writing bad checks and other fraudulent acts.

“I was in a really bad place,” she said. “I did things I normally wouldn’t have done, and it literally consumed my whole life. It got to the point where I just turned myself in.”

Laurie escaped jail time, opting to enter the Therapeutic Intervention Program Court, which helps nonviolent offenders cope with their mental illness.

Laurie finished one year in the program this month and was one of seven people to graduate Thursday from TIP Court, the 10th graduation in five years of the voluntary program.

“These people care about you even though they don’t know you,” she said. “I have never felt that much approval or support as when I see these people. It is amazing because you don’t see that on the outside world.”

TIP now has seen 64 people graduate from the program since it started in February 2005.

The program focuses on the major mental illnesses — schizophrenia, bipolar, major depression, said Michelle Rock, specialty courts administrator.

Participants meet individually and in group sessions with coordinators to develop a plan by learning the signs and symptoms of their illnesses.

TIP Court graduates have shown progress after leaving the program, Rock said, with statistics showing reduction in recidivism and hospitalization.

The first 57 graduates have combined for 123 days spent in jail since being in the program compared with 5,664 days before.

“That has been significant,” Rock said. “It’s all about recovery ... whatever they need, we work on.”

Laurie said she now has a new outlook on life and hopes to continue with her progress.